12 Gallon Nano Struggles

I have struggled with a 12 g JBJ nano tank since I first put it up. I upgraded the hood to include 2x24w CF bulbs. I have a live sand bed about 1.5" deep and about 12 lbs of live rock. There are a few snails and starfish (probably the black/white striped brittle type), but nothing else. The starfish all grew from the live sand and a grunge bag o bugs I bought from garf.

I haven't ever had a heater in the system and my temp stayed around 66 degrees. Most of you are probably cringing right now, but I had a cleaner shrimp and blue chromis living in there for almost 3 years. The shrimp lasted for only 2, but I just lost the fish. I'm pretty sure that I killed the fish by adding a heater. I tried to slowly bring the temp up 2 degrees a day, but I think it was too much.

I love watching tank inhabitants interact and that has kept my hobby going. I have had various mushrooms and ricordia over the years, but haven't put anything in this tank yet. I knew the corals wouldn't last at that cold temp so I had to add the heater to start some corals. This 12 g tank is the only one that made the move into the new house 2 years ago.

I want to use this thread to just document my progress and changes as I try to get better at this. I also want to learn how you all do it better. My main problem is water changes. I haven't come up with a god way to do them and they often get overlooked. As you can imagine I have an algae issue since I never change the water and I don't have a PS.

Since the fish died I turned the light off totally so the only light is real indirect sunlight from the window about 20 ft away. Algae is dying off and I'm ready to do a water change. My normal procedure includes a 3 stage RO/DI unit that I walk outside with, hook up to my external hose, and turn on. Then once my 6 gallon bucket is full I can top off fresh water and mix salt with the rest for a water change. It all feels very cumbersome. Does anyone have suggestions on how to make this process easier? I have been testing the water from my RO/DI unit and it is a perfect 0 using my TDS meter. Since I rarely change the water (about twice a year...yeah only twice) my RO/DI filters have lasted quite a bit. I bout the unit used, but I estimate it at 50 gallons a day. For my 12 gallon system it is fine.

Tomorrow I plan to change a full 6 gallons. I don't think 6 will be too much since I have nothing but snails and small inverts in there. I'll keep you all posted. I'll also post some pics of the tank so you can see the GHA and short green bristly "plant" that grows on the rocks. I don't know what the plant is, but it doesn't get out of control.

 

Just Like Diapers, This Needs To Be Changed - YouTube

Mr. Saltwater Tank TV Friday AM Quick Tip #7 : Less is More - YouTube

 

The temp change is probably what did the fish in. keeping them at 66 degrees for so long made it so they were used to it. Normal temp somewhere around 78-8- degrees, but some run tank hotter.

As for filtration i would make it a habit to get on some sort of schedule for water changes. You can be successful with out them but on a small tank that can be very hard. I would start doing a few gallons a week and see how that works out.

 

Well put there by Mr. Saltwater tank. Nice links cosmo

 

What is the ambient temp of your house?

I kept this same tank for years without issue. I added an additional powerhead a koralia 2, run chemipure elite and did the routine water changes about 2 gallons every 2 weeks.

Simple set up with the Power Compact stock lighting.

I am sure with even just small routine water changes, appropriate bioload and a small heater, adequate flow your tank will again be successful. Basically they can be a lazy mans tank if you so choose. Mushrooms, soft corals and a damsel just something simple.

GL

 

Thanks Cosmo. I like the grumpy old man analogy.

I'm hoping I can stay on the 1 gallon a week change schedule. I still plan to change 5 or 6 tomorrow, but 1 gallon a week after that. Is there a huge difference between salt brands?

The tank is actually for my kids Corailline so I do plan to have some mushrooms a fish or two and let it ride. Our house is at about 66-68 in winter and 72-76 in the summer.

How do you all have your RODI units setup? Are they mounted on the wall, plumbed into your house plumbing or do you make water by dragging it outside like me?

 

Corailline,
How often did you wash out the sponges in the back that did the mechanical filtration?

 

Pics today

Not much to see because the shrimp and the fish aren't there anymore.

Whole tank pic:



Coralline Algae and bleaching:



GHA Issue:



Unidentified growth. Need some help here:



Better pic of algae and bleaching: